January 21, 2003	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 17, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that Pakistan is an investor-friendly country and it would welcome foreign investment to accelerate the process of economic development.

The prime minister was talking to the President of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, Jeroen Van Der Veer, who called on him here on Monday and exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Shell in oil and gas exploration in the country.

During the meeting, they discussed matters pertaining to exploration of oil and petroleum and the prospects of foreign investment in the petroleum sector in the country.

The prime minister also lauded the useful role being played by Shell in the socio-economic development of the country, especially initiation of a project “Tameer” by Shell to promote partnerships to build new entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises.

The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Noraiz Shakoor, Secretary Petroleum, Abdullah Yousaf and Shell’s country chief, Farooq Rahmatullah, were also present.

President of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, Jeroen Van der Veer, accompanied by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Noraiz Shakur and Managing Director Shell Pakistan Farooq Rahmatullah called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf here on Monday, adds APP.

The president welcomed Van der Veer to Pakistan and expressed the hope that he would find his stay in the country rewarding.

He appreciated the steps taken by Shell Pakistan through the Shell Tameer project for encouraging and promoting young entrepreneurs in the country.

Van der Veer thanked the president for his encouragement. He praised the petroleum policy and opportunities being offered to the petroleum industry in private and public sectors.